FAQs

Sonya Thomas, Board Member - seen here preparing food with other Board members at out Community Meal.

FAQs: click Questions for answers…

Q: How many homeless are there in Berkeley? ↓

According to the latest Homeless Point-in-Time Count organized by EveryOne Home, there are an estimated 4,040 people homeless in Alameda County, with the City of Berkeley hosting a disproportionate number of these: 834. Of particular concern is the fact that between 2009 and 2015, the unsheltered homeless population in Berkeley increased by a staggering 53%.

Q: What is Berkeley Food & Housing Project doing to end homelessness? ↓

BFHP’s mission is to ease and end the crisis of homelessness. We do this by working with men and women on a one-on-one basis, to meet their immediate, basic needs; to address the underlying causes of their homelessness; and to develop viable, holistic and sustainable solutions that will enable them to achieve stability, wellness and safe, permanent housing.

Q: What is unique about BFHP vs. other agencies? ↓

Over the past 46 years, BFHP has developed a robust network of local and county partnerships that have supported us in serving more than 2,000 clients annually through a variety of distinct programs, at 6 different sites, from Alameda to Solano County – making the agency one of the leading homeless service providers in the East Bay.
In 2014, BFHP was awarded a contract by the City of Berkeley to develop and operate their new Coordinated Entry System (CES) for homeless services. As of 5 January 2016, we became the sole point of entry for anyone seeking homeless services in the City of Berkeley.

Q: How many people does BFHP serve? ↓

BFHP serves 2,000 people a year.

Q: How many meals do you serve? ↓

Across our programs we serve approximately 100,000 meals annually. Over 25,000 of these are provided, for free, at our weekday Community Meal.

Q: How many shelter beds are available? ↓

68 – BFHP has two shelters: our Men’s Shelter has 36 beds and our Women and Children’s Shelter has 32.

Q: How does a homeless person get a shelter bed? ↓

Call the Shelter Bed Hotline: 866-960-2132.

Q: Are people turned away from the shelter? ↓

Unfortunately, due to limited space we must turn away individuals when all the shelter beds are filled. In 2015, 3,249 people were turned away from City shelters due to lack of beds.

Q: Do clients in BFHP housing programs pay fees ↓

There is no fee for those in our shelters, but clients with an income in our transitional and permanent housing programs pay fees (equal to 30% of their income). 15% of the client’s income goes into savings for moving/apartment expenses, and a one-time security deposit of $200. Savings are refunded when the client leaves the program.

Q: Is BFHP successful in finding housing for the homeless? ↓

For those who want to be housed, BFHP is very successful. In 2015, BFHP placed 273 men, women and children into permanent housing.

Q: Which programs are evidence-based? ↓

All our housing programs are evidence-based. We can show statistics on the number of people housed, the increase of income and the accessibility to health-care services. Our success is ultimately measured by the number of clients who are able to secure and maintain permanent housing, thereby breaking their cycle of homelessness.

Q: What are BFHP’s biggest challenges? ↓

There is an affordable housing crisis across the Bay Area, which makes it very difficult for our clients to secure and retain safe, permanent housing. In 2015, the median price of a home in Berkeley broke the million-dollar mark, setting a new record for the City. The average rent, meanwhile, far exceeded the Fair Market Rate. For low-income seniors and people with disabilities in Alameda County who rely on SSI/SSP grants as a basic source of income, even the Fair Market Rent for a studio apartment exceeds the maximum SSI/SSP grant for an individual by 55%. For low-income families eligible for CalWorks grants, their grants are not enough to cover even half the rent of a one-bedroom apartment.

Another significant challenge is securing private funding to keep pace with the agency’s rate of growth. Over the years our work has expanded both programmatically and geographically – we now cover three counties and our portfolio includes programming specifically designed for the chronically homeless, women and their children, persons with serious mental illness, and veterans. Between Fiscal Years 2010 and 2016, our annual operating budget increased from $3,543,846 to $5,078,337 (30%).

Q: How is BFHP funded? ↓

BFHP’s work is supported by a combination of funding streams. Approximately 76% of our revenue comes from government agencies, 18% from a combination of individual giving, private foundations and corporate charitable contributions, and 5% from program fees. For more information, visit out Finance page.

Q: How can I help? ↓

Make a financial donation online now, or make a check payable to “Berkeley Food & Housing Project” and mail it to BFHP at 1901 Fairview St, Berkeley, CA 94703.
For volunteering opportunities contact our Volunteer Coordinator at (510) 318-6606 or volunteers@bfhp.org. Visit our Volunteers page.
Check out the Get Involved section of our website for other ways to help, or call our Development Department at (510) 318-6633.

Q: How is my donation used? ↓

Nearly 84% of your donation is for program costs. This includes providing shelter, meals and direct services to clients that get them back off the streets and into permanent housing. 8% is for fundraising, and 8% for administration.

Q: I can contribute in-kind donations and services. Who do I call? ↓

Please consult our Wish List to see what is needed and what we can accept. Contact the Development Department at mfaber@bfhp.org or (510) 318-6633.

Q: How do I deduct a donation for my taxes? ↓

Q: How do I get your newsletter? ↓

The newsletter is now produced and mailed three times/year. It is also available online here. Sign up online to receive it, or contact our Development Department at 510-318-6633.

Q: I would like to pass along information to a friend. What can I give them? ↓

Refer them to this website or download a copy of our brochure or latest newsletter here. Copies of our brochure can also be found in Berkeley public libraries and at our offices at 1901 Fairview St, Berkeley.

Q: If a homeless person asks me for help, what can/should I give them, or do? ↓

We would say that the best form of assistance you can give a homeless person is to refer them to an organization that works to address the root causes of their problems. As the sole entry point for Homeless Services in the city of Berkeley, it is best to refer anyone who is homeless to our offices at: 1901 Fairview St, Berkeley – or to call: 866-960-2132.Download and distribute our informational card.

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